Jim Varney

Jim Varney
Varney in the 1995 film The Expert.
Born
James Albert Varney Jr.

(1949-06-15)June 15, 1949
DiedFebruary 10, 2000(2000-02-10) (aged 50)
Resting placeLexington Cemetery
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1964–2000
Notable workErnest franchise
Toy Story
Spouses
  • Jacqueline Drew
    (m. 1977; div. 1983)
  • Jane Varney
    (m. 1988; div. 1991)
Signature

James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949 – February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his comedic role as Ernest P. Worrell, for which he won an Emmy Award, as well as appearing in films and numerous television commercial advertising campaigns.[1][2][3] He played Jed Clampett in a film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) and also covered a song for the film titled "Hot Rod Lincoln".[4] He voiced Slinky Dog in the first two films of the Toy Story franchise (1995–1999). He died of lung cancer on February 10, 2000, leaving two posthumous releases, Daddy and Them and Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

  1. ^ Tomsho, Robert (July 7, 1985). "Ernest P. Gets Rich With Vern". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  2. ^ "Jim Varney; Comedic Actor Played Rube Ernest P. Worrell in Commercials, Movies". Los Angeles Times. February 11, 2000. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  3. ^ "Jim Varney, 50, Who Turned 'Ernest' Character into a Career". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 11, 2001. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Jim Varney / Jerry Scoggins - Hot Rod Lincoln / The Ballad Of Jed Clampett, 1993, retrieved December 4, 2023